Author Archives: VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

5 Ways to Curb Impulse Buying

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It’s so hard to fight the urge to spend money. You’ve earned it, so why can’t you spend it – right? It’s certainly fine to give in once in a while, but impulse buying can really throw your budget, especially if you’re buying higher priced items.

Impulse shopping is far from uncommon in America. According to a survey from CreditCards.com, about 54% of Americans have spent $100 or more on an impulse purchase. The survey also points out that 84% of Americans have made impulse purchases, and 20% have even made purchases of at least $1,000 on impulse – wow!

If you’re looking for ways to finally kick this type of habit, here are five tips to help overcome impulse buying:

Make a Shopping List

The easiest way to fight impulsive shopping is by making a list. When you go shopping, know exactly what you’re there for and stick to the original mission. If an item is not on the list, you don’t buy it – it’s as simple as that. Sticking to the shopping list will take some self-discipline but with a little practice, it will become second nature.

Create a 30-Day Rule

Impulsive purchases happen essentially because you don’t give yourself the time to rationally think about the purchase. The next time you feel the urge to buy something, tell yourself to wait 30 days. After the 30 days, do you still want it? Are you still thinking about it? If so, go ahead and buy it – but you’ll find that most of the time, you’ve long forgotten about it already.

Budget in Impulsive Purchases

Some people just can’t help it. They’re going to buy random items regardless of how much planning they do. If you’re one of those people, that’s okay. Just put it into your budget. Create a category for “miscellaneous spending” or in other words, impulse purchases. Once you’ve reached the max for the category during a given month, you’ll have to wait until the next month to buy anything else. This way, you can satisfy your urge to shop while controlling it at the same time.

Bring Cash Only

Another way to stop yourself from impulsive buying is to leave all your credit cards at home. Just bring cash. Doing so will put a limit on how much you can buy. Of course, you’ll want to be prepared and know how much cash you’ll need to bring for at least essentials, but this could be a very effective method if you’re good with keeping track.

Think About Those Long-Term Goals

Thinking about the future is actually very difficult, as shopping can be fun and the thrill of making a purchase even more so. But think about your long-term goals and all the things you want to save up for. You’ll realize that there are probably more important things than what you’re about to buy. Is that pair of designer jeans really worth delaying your vacation? And what about another new tablet or other electronic device? Is that more important than saving for retirement?

The answer could very well be yes, but most of the time – opt to save up and spend it on something that truly matters.

Article Source: Miranda Marquit for Moneyning.com

First Financial Foundation Awards Classroom Grant to Land O Pines Elementary School

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Press Release

(Pictured above from L to R: First Financial’s President/CEO, VP of Marketing and Business Development at First Financial, Grant Recipient Desire’e LoVoi, and First Financial’s AVP of Business Development).

FREEHOLD, N.J. – Land O Pines Elementary School teacher, Desire’e LoVoi, was surprised by members of the First Financial Foundation with an Erma Dorrer classroom grant for the 2018-2019 school year. Land O Pines School is part of the Howell Township K-8 School District.

LoVoi submitted a grant application via YouTube video, to purchase equipment for a new Book/S.T.E.A.M. Room for Pre-K through 2nd grade students at the school. S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The creative video showcased some of Mrs. LoVoi’s students and how they would benefit from the updated book room.

The YouTube video can be viewed here.

(Pictured above: Land O Pines Principal Suarez with Grant Recipient Desire’e LoVoi).

Since First Financial began with a group of Asbury Park schoolteachers back in 1936, the credit union has not forgotten its educational roots. That is why its Foundation offered current Monmouth and Ocean County educators six (6) classroom grants to use at their schools for the 2018-2019 school year.

“Education has and always will be a pivotal piece of our organization, and we’re delighted to be able to help our local educators enhance their classroom experience,” noted First Financial President & CEO, Issa Stephan.

Stephan also noted that the Foundation committee had a tough job of choosing just six winning teachers out of the numerous applications received this year. “We received dozens of heart warming essays from educators hoping to use the grant money to implement or maintain a variety of creative programs in their schools such as flexible seating, virtual reality glasses, book stands and shelving, new classroom cabinets, and interactive books and games – to name a few,” said Stephan. “We wish we were able to reward each and every one of our participants, and after extremely careful consideration we selected the six classrooms in which we felt the grant money would have the largest impact.”

Winter is Coming: Time to Ready Your Home and Wallet

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We are in the midst of the holiday season and that means the temperatures are steadily dropping. As we reach year’s end, it’s time to take a hard look at how you can prepare your home and your wallet for the winter months ahead. Here are four tips for winterizing your home and saving some extra cash.

Keep it low.

Instead of turning up the heat every time you feel a chill, grab a blanket or put the fireplace on and save some cash. Also, take a good look at your heating system and find out whether there’s a programming option. This will allow you to set times when you want the heat to click on (in the morning when you’re getting out of bed, for example) and times when it should remain low (while you’re at work and no one is home).

Let sunshine in.

Many of us like the privacy our drapes and curtains provide us. But, when it’s cold out, open up your blinds and let the sun in. You’ll be surprised how much the natural sunlight will help heat up certain areas of your home.

Freshen up your filters.

It can be very easy to forget about those air filters, but keeping them clean is key to good quality air in your home. Filthy filters not only limit the airflow, but they also up the energy demand (which means more expensive bills). So, make a note in your calendar to check on them monthly to ensure they’re in good shape.

Turn the fan around.

Many people associate ceiling fans with cool air when actually, with just a minor adjustment they can help warm your home as well. Most ceiling fans come with a small switch that allows you to change its direction. A clockwise rotation will push warm air back down into your living space, which can significantly cut your heating costs too.

Article Source: Wendy Moody for CUInsight.com   

5 Easy Ways to Save for the Holidays in Just 5 Weeks

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Facts are facts. When it comes to holiday planning, lists are long and time is short. If you’re one of those mythical people who has already finished your holiday shopping, this article may not pertain to you. But, you can still share it with those in your life who always seem to wait as late as possible to start thinking about holiday gifts. Now, if you’re part of the 53% of people who wait until the last minute to tackle your holiday shopping, you’ll want to keep reading.

Ever Ascending Holiday Spending

Every year, Americans spend more on winter holidays than any other occasion in the calendar. Staying in line with this upward trend, shoppers are expected to spend more during the 2018 holiday season than ever before. According to the National Retail Federation: “Consumers say they will spend an average $1,007.24 during the holiday season this year, up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 last year.” And that figure doesn’t even include travel expenses!

Regardless of whether your seasonal spending will top the national average or you skate by just under the line, we want to help you save money. While there may not be enough time to implement a long-term plan as of now, here are five practical tips to help you stretch your holiday dollars a little further this year:

  • Know your limits. Set your limits. At this point in the game, time is of the essence—and so is your money. Rather than trying to overwhelm people with the quantity of your gifts, focus on the quality. It’s always better to give someone one gift they’ll love than to flood them with a variety of forgettable trinkets. Save your time (and hopefully your cash), with more meaningful gifts.
  • Go with gift cards. Don’t stress an opinionated recipient. Let them do the heavy lifting, you just give them the gift of shopping guidance. Plus, nothing says “treat yourself” like a gift card. Why not get creative and make those very same gift cards work for you? Many retailers offer gift cards at a discount during the holidays. If a store is selling gift cards at a 10% discount, buy a $100 gift card for $90 and use it to pay for your gift purchases. Hidden savings will help you through.
  • Abandon your cart. If you’re planning to do your shopping online this year, slowing down can save you money. Instead of finding the item you want, adding it to your shopping cart, and checking out immediately, try a new approach. The first two steps are the same. But then, instead of completing the purchase, leave the item in your cart and exit the site. When something sits in your cart for an extended period of time, many online retailers will send you a reminder email offering a discount if you’ll come back and complete the transaction.
  • The search for savings is on. Thanks to the Internet, you no longer have to cross your fingers and wonder if the store you’re shopping from will offer a coupon or promo code. Websites like Retailmenot, Groupon, and Rakuten do the work for you. If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, the Honey app will automatically search the web for coupons or promotions on the items you’ve added to your cart. The holiday season is the perfect time to let modern technology work for you!
  • Patience pays. Failing to plan ahead is rarely a good strategy. But in the case of holiday travels, it just might work in your favor. If you’re hitting the road this holiday season, websites like HotelTonight  and  LastMinuteTravel have created their entire business around helping travelers score last-minute deals on hotel rooms. Don’t just book the first available hotel room you see in the search results though. Shop around. Outstanding savings are out there — you just have to find them.

While the tips we’ve offered can help you get through this holiday season with your spirit intact, there’s an even better way to prepare for next year.

At First Financial, our Holiday Club Savings Account makes it simple to set aside a little money each month. Start a new tradition of stress-free shopping. No need to put yourself into debt over holiday spending – simply save ahead and come out on top (and not in debt)!*

  • Open at any time
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Dividends are posted annually on balances of $100 or more
  • Accounts automatically renew each year
  • Deposits can be made in person, via mail, payroll deductions, or direct deposit
  • Holiday Club funds are deposited into a First Financial Checking or Base Savings Account

Contact us today to learn more about our Holiday Club! 

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. Some restrictions apply, contact the Credit Union for more information.

First Financial Foundation Awards Classroom Grant to Ramtown Elementary School

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Press Release

(Pictured above: Grant Recipient Danielle Farley of Ramtown School in Howell).

FREEHOLD, N.J. – Ramtown Elementary School 3rd grade reading teacher, Danielle Farley, was surprised by members of the First Financial Foundation with an Erma Dorrer classroom grant for the 2018-2019 school year. Ramtown School is part of the Howell Township K-8 School District.

Farley submitted a grant application to purchase a one year license for the Raz-Kids reading program for her students. The program provides hundreds of eBooks offered at 29 different levels of reading difficulty. Kids access their level through an interactive learning portal designed to keep them motivated and engaged. Every eBook allows students to listen to, read at their own pace, and record themselves reading. Students then take a corresponding eQuiz to determine their future instructional needs. Once a student has read 10 or more eBooks and passed the corresponding quizzes, they advance on to the next reading level where they have access to lengthier and more difficult text.

“I truly believe that READERS ARE LEADERS and that children all grow and advance as readers at different rates,” said Farley. “The children love this program. I would love to provide my students with the opportunity to access this program in the classroom as well as at home.  This grant would provide the funds to make that happen.”

(Pictured above: First Financial’s AVP of Business Development, Grant Recipient Danielle Farley, and First Financial’s President/CEO).

Since First Financial began with a group of Asbury Park schoolteachers back in 1936, the credit union has not forgotten its educational roots. That is why its Foundation offered current Monmouth and Ocean County educators six (6) classroom grants to use at their schools for the 2018-2019 school year.

“Education has and always will be a pivotal piece of our organization, and we’re delighted to be able to help our local educators enhance their classroom experience,” noted First Financial President & CEO, Issa Stephan.

Stephan also noted that the Foundation committee had a tough job of choosing just six winning teachers out of the numerous applications received this year. “We received dozens of heart warming essays from educators hoping to use the grant money to implement or maintain a variety of creative programs in their schools such as flexible seating, virtual reality glasses, book stands and shelving, new classroom cabinets, and interactive books and games – to name a few,” said Stephan. “We wish we were able to reward each and every one of our participants, and after extremely careful consideration we selected the six classrooms in which we felt the grant money would have the largest impact this year.”

The Pros and Cons of Store Credit Cards

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We’ve all approached a register to complete a purchase and were asked if we’d be interested in applying for a store credit card. And with the holiday shopping season about to get in full swing, chances are – you are going to be asked more than usual. There are pros and cons to having a store credit account, so make sure you take a good look before you open one.

Pro: They are easier to get

Application requirements for store credit cards are generally less strict than regular credit cards, so chances are you’re more than likely to get approved. If you’re looking to get a card from a store you often visit, this should make you happy and save you some money (provided you don’t rack up a balance).

Con: They carry higher interest rates

The average store credit card is 8-10 points higher in interest than regular credit cards. This may not be a big deal if you’re only using the card sparingly, but a few big purchases that aren’t paid off completely by month end could come back to haunt you.

Pro: They help you build credit

If you’re young and haven’t had a chance to build any credit, a store credit card could be very helpful. It’s easier to be approved for one so you wouldn’t need much credit history to qualify. A purchase or two a month will put you on the road to good credit too. Just make sure you pay the card off each month.

Con: Their use is limited

Some store credit cards may allow you to use them at sister companies, but for the most part, you’ll only use them in the store that issues them. That might be fine if it’s a store like Target or another retailer that you often visit, but overall it won’t be a very versatile card.

Pro: They provide in-store rewards

A lot of cards will reward the user with discounts and promotions which can provide great value. Free shipping for instance, is a perk that is appreciated. Just be sure these benefits don’t cause you to overspend either!

First Financial’s Visa Credit Cards offer benefits that include higher credit lines, lower APRs, no annual fees, a 10-day grace period+, rewards (cash back or on travel & retailer gift cards), an EMV security chip, and more!* And they can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

 Click here to learn about our credit card options and apply online today.

*APR varies up to 18% for purchases, when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. The APR is 18% APR for balance transfers and cash advances. APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fee. Other fees that apply: Cash advance fee of $10 or 3% of the total cash advance amount—whichever is greater (no maximum), Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3% of the balance—whichever is greater (no maximum), Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

+ No late fee will be charged if payment is received within 10 days from the payment due date.

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight